Blurb: A ghoulish family in rural Alaska turns animal trafficking on its head in this Halloween edition of The Blacklist. Red finally connects with the young woman he has been seeking. Dembe’s backstory is revealed.

🔴 Red’s Moral Code

April 22, 2015

It’s a good question where Red’s sense of “justice” comes from. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. We know the Greeks came up with our Western idea of “justice” – but did they invent it or simply write down what is implicit in human nature?Continue reading ‘🔴 Red’s Moral Code’

🔴 Tom Keen and the “Risk-Taking” Gene

March 14, 2015

There is a genomic marker (SNP) sometimes called “the love gene” (GG variant for SNP rs53576) http://bit.ly/1wniMDR About 40% of Westerners have this variant. When combined with another gene (AA or AG for rs2254298) http://bit.ly/18nPCKM, what results, for males who grew up in non-nurturing early childhood environments, is a higher likelihood that a person will develop psychiatric disorders AND/OR that he will be a risk-taker. Both “genes” or SNPs are located on the Oxytocin molecule. The psychiatric disorders include depression, borderline personality, sociopathy and psychopathy.Continue reading ‘🔴 Tom & the “Risk-Taking” Gene’

🔴 James Spader as Outsider

–– Boston Legal to The Blacklist

Jan 7, 2015

In Boston Legal (ABC, 2004-2008), James Spader played Alan Shore, an often politically incorrect advocate in many cases involving “lost causes” (most of which, in the make-believe world of the Crane, Poole & Schmidt law firm, he actually won). His penchant for clarity and honesty was his weakness & his strength. In perhaps the most memorable episode, he even told “The Court Supreme” exactly what they needed to hear about the death penalty. Even his sexism was funny & endearing because it was – hey! – sincere. During the Bush years, Alan Shore’s truth-telling buoyed many a despondent liberal in the face of what Stephen Colbert dubbed “Truthiness”.Continue reading ‘🔴 James Spader as Outsider’